CSS 422 Software Architecture
Finals Mock Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
©2025
, Question 1:
A company plans to reengineer its legacy monolithic application into a
more scalable, maintainable solution. Which architectural style is most
commonly recommended for decomposing such systems into small,
independently deployable services?
- A. Layered Architecture
- B. Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)
- C. Microkernel Architecture
- D. Microservices Architecture
ANS: D. Microservices Architecture
Rationale: Microservices architecture decomposes applications into
small, loosely coupled services that can be developed, deployed, and
scaled independently—ideal for reengineering large monolithic systems
for scalability and agility.
---
Question 2:
In the context of the 4+1 view model of software architecture, which
view is primarily concerned with how system elements interact to
achieve functionality?
- A. Logical view
- B. Development view
- C. Process view
- D. Physical view
ANS: A. Logical view
Rationale: The logical view focuses on the key abstractions in the
system and how components collaborate to deliver functionality. The 4+1
model separates concerns to address different stakeholder viewpoints.
---
©2025
, Question 3:
When evaluating the quality attributes of an architecture using methods
like ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method), which attribute is
most closely associated with minimizing system downtime?
- A. Performance
- B. Scalability
- C. Reliability
- D. Usability
ANS: C. Reliability
Rationale: Reliability is directly related to a system’s ability to operate
without failure over time. ATAM sessions help uncover trade-offs and
risks that affect reliability and availability.
---
Question 4:
A software architect is deciding between a layered architecture and a
microservices architecture for a distributed application. Which of the
following is a primary advantage of layered architecture?
- A. Independently deployable services
- B. Separation of concerns with well-defined interfaces
- C. Built-in fault isolation between services
- D. Easier horizontal scaling across nodes
ANS: B. Separation of concerns with well-defined interfaces
Rationale: Layered architecture organizes the system into layers
(presentation, business, persistence, etc.), ensuring that each layer has a
distinct responsibility. This separation of concerns aids maintainability
and understandability, though it does not provide the same level of
deployability or fault isolation as microservices.
---
Question 5:
©2025
, Which of the following design patterns is most suitable for decoupling
the abstraction from its implementation, thereby allowing both to vary
independently in a complex software system?
- A. Observer Pattern
- B. Bridge Pattern
- C. Singleton Pattern
- D. Factory Pattern
ANS: B. Bridge Pattern
Rationale: The Bridge Pattern decouples abstraction from
implementation by placing them in separate class hierarchies. This allows
both to evolve independently, a key objective in advanced software
architecture.
---
Question 6:
A development team uses continuous integration and deployment
(CI/CD) pipelines integrated with architectural evaluation tools. Which
architectural quality attribute is most directly enhanced by this practice?
- A. Modifiability
- B. Performance
- C. Security
- D. Portability
ANS: A. Modifiability
Rationale: CI/CD practices support rapid feedback, automated testing,
and frequent deployments, which collectively improve modifiability by
making it easier to detect issues when changes are made.
---
Question 7:
In a service-oriented architecture (SOA), loose coupling between services
is primarily achieved through:
©2025
Finals Mock Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
©2025
, Question 1:
A company plans to reengineer its legacy monolithic application into a
more scalable, maintainable solution. Which architectural style is most
commonly recommended for decomposing such systems into small,
independently deployable services?
- A. Layered Architecture
- B. Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)
- C. Microkernel Architecture
- D. Microservices Architecture
ANS: D. Microservices Architecture
Rationale: Microservices architecture decomposes applications into
small, loosely coupled services that can be developed, deployed, and
scaled independently—ideal for reengineering large monolithic systems
for scalability and agility.
---
Question 2:
In the context of the 4+1 view model of software architecture, which
view is primarily concerned with how system elements interact to
achieve functionality?
- A. Logical view
- B. Development view
- C. Process view
- D. Physical view
ANS: A. Logical view
Rationale: The logical view focuses on the key abstractions in the
system and how components collaborate to deliver functionality. The 4+1
model separates concerns to address different stakeholder viewpoints.
---
©2025
, Question 3:
When evaluating the quality attributes of an architecture using methods
like ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method), which attribute is
most closely associated with minimizing system downtime?
- A. Performance
- B. Scalability
- C. Reliability
- D. Usability
ANS: C. Reliability
Rationale: Reliability is directly related to a system’s ability to operate
without failure over time. ATAM sessions help uncover trade-offs and
risks that affect reliability and availability.
---
Question 4:
A software architect is deciding between a layered architecture and a
microservices architecture for a distributed application. Which of the
following is a primary advantage of layered architecture?
- A. Independently deployable services
- B. Separation of concerns with well-defined interfaces
- C. Built-in fault isolation between services
- D. Easier horizontal scaling across nodes
ANS: B. Separation of concerns with well-defined interfaces
Rationale: Layered architecture organizes the system into layers
(presentation, business, persistence, etc.), ensuring that each layer has a
distinct responsibility. This separation of concerns aids maintainability
and understandability, though it does not provide the same level of
deployability or fault isolation as microservices.
---
Question 5:
©2025
, Which of the following design patterns is most suitable for decoupling
the abstraction from its implementation, thereby allowing both to vary
independently in a complex software system?
- A. Observer Pattern
- B. Bridge Pattern
- C. Singleton Pattern
- D. Factory Pattern
ANS: B. Bridge Pattern
Rationale: The Bridge Pattern decouples abstraction from
implementation by placing them in separate class hierarchies. This allows
both to evolve independently, a key objective in advanced software
architecture.
---
Question 6:
A development team uses continuous integration and deployment
(CI/CD) pipelines integrated with architectural evaluation tools. Which
architectural quality attribute is most directly enhanced by this practice?
- A. Modifiability
- B. Performance
- C. Security
- D. Portability
ANS: A. Modifiability
Rationale: CI/CD practices support rapid feedback, automated testing,
and frequent deployments, which collectively improve modifiability by
making it easier to detect issues when changes are made.
---
Question 7:
In a service-oriented architecture (SOA), loose coupling between services
is primarily achieved through:
©2025
